CUMBRIA
The Brown Horse Inn, Winster
The Brown
Horse Inn in Winster is well worth seeking out, tucked into the lush folds of
the Lyth valley. This is a traditional Lake District inn with ancient oak beams, log fires and hand-pulled ales, and with 6 luxurious en-suite rooms and a number of self-catering cottages nearby, a perfect place to get away from just about everything and enjoy the scenic splendour of the Winster valley, and the beautiful surrounding countryside.
The inn specialises in traditional and continental dishes using fresh produce from the Brown Horse Estate including venison, beef, lamb, pheasant, mallard and eggs. Dinner can be enjoyed with a pint of local ale, a choice of wine from an extensive cellar or their very own Willow Water, famed locally for its therapeutic qualities. Anything that is not direct from The Brown Horse Estate is sourced locally. The Restaurant also offers an extensive collection of wines and hand-pulled,Home Brewed and Traditional Ales.
Within easy reach of the Brown Horse Inn are the beauty and attractions of Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, Hawkshead, Coniston and the Langdale valley which make the Lake District such a special place to visit.
Brown Horse Inn
Winster
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
Cumbria
LA23 3NR
Tel: 015394 43443
www.thebrownhorseinn.co.uk
LANCASHIRE
The Derby Arms, Longridge
The evolution of time-aged pubs and inns across Lancashire
turning to gastronomy is a thing to behold and wonder at.
Take the Derby Arms at Longridge, tucked away along the road to Chipping, and, from one point of view, well off the beaten track. But it is truly a memorable place not only to dine but to stay for a few nights, all the better to appreciate the skills of the talented brigade in the kitchen, especially when it comes to the four-course breakfast.
Of course, we know of other similar pubs owned by the same company, and dotted about the county, so we had high expectations of this recently renovated early 20th-century inn, and we were not to be disappointed.
Yet again - a common trait - we failed to be tempted by the excellent menu, because, as ever, the 'Specials' were, well, very special...and we go early, all the better the get the fish that comes in each day. Turbot, East coast crab, sea bass, lobster, scallops - they are all there, and prepared by a chef with passion. Suffice to say that when the staff came to ask if we were enjoying our meal, it was too late, it had already gone...and that's not because they were slow in arriving, rather that it was so superb that we just hoovered it up.
I did go through the menu, because we'll be back. And I fail to see how anyone could not find three courses to feel satisfied with. Very sensibly the menu does not over-reach itself; the wine list is very wisely selected, and the ambiance and friendliness of the staff is so typically Lancashire at its best...you smile as soon as you walk through the door.
But that's not all, because the Derby Arms also has half a dozen residential rooms, with another eight on the way, and I can vouch for them being highly equipped and furnished, comfy and remarkably peaceful. Multiple free WiFi throughout, so there are no weak spots...excellent thinking...and internet TVs.
And they can accommodate weddings and other large functions in the grandest of styles.
TOP TIP: Go midweek, and stay for a night or two, but ask if there are any 'Special offers' or 'Last minute' deals to be had...you'll be surprised.
Take the Derby Arms at Longridge, tucked away along the road to Chipping, and, from one point of view, well off the beaten track. But it is truly a memorable place not only to dine but to stay for a few nights, all the better to appreciate the skills of the talented brigade in the kitchen, especially when it comes to the four-course breakfast.
Of course, we know of other similar pubs owned by the same company, and dotted about the county, so we had high expectations of this recently renovated early 20th-century inn, and we were not to be disappointed.
Yet again - a common trait - we failed to be tempted by the excellent menu, because, as ever, the 'Specials' were, well, very special...and we go early, all the better the get the fish that comes in each day. Turbot, East coast crab, sea bass, lobster, scallops - they are all there, and prepared by a chef with passion. Suffice to say that when the staff came to ask if we were enjoying our meal, it was too late, it had already gone...and that's not because they were slow in arriving, rather that it was so superb that we just hoovered it up.
I did go through the menu, because we'll be back. And I fail to see how anyone could not find three courses to feel satisfied with. Very sensibly the menu does not over-reach itself; the wine list is very wisely selected, and the ambiance and friendliness of the staff is so typically Lancashire at its best...you smile as soon as you walk through the door.
But that's not all, because the Derby Arms also has half a dozen residential rooms, with another eight on the way, and I can vouch for them being highly equipped and furnished, comfy and remarkably peaceful. Multiple free WiFi throughout, so there are no weak spots...excellent thinking...and internet TVs.
And they can accommodate weddings and other large functions in the grandest of styles.
TOP TIP: Go midweek, and stay for a night or two, but ask if there are any 'Special offers' or 'Last minute' deals to be had...you'll be surprised.
Derby Arms, Chipping Road, Longridge, Lancashire PR3 2NB
Phone: 01772 782 370
Phone: 01772 782 370
No comments:
Post a Comment